NEBULA TO MAN 
Now ne'ertheless in several forms displays 
More likeness to it than in older days. 
True sharks, not merely Shark-like forms are here, 
True rays, not merely Ray-like forms appear ; 
And though pro-Sturgeons still may wend their way, 25 
Sturgeons are here much as their scions to-day. 
And in the Ganoids' silver-shining throng 
Fishes of Salmon shape now swim along : 
And other various ganoids cleave the tide, 
To Bow-fins, Sprats and Herrings close allied. 30 
Big Carp-like creatures wander on their ways, 
Larger than those that lived in Trias days. 
And fishes too are here resembling more 
The Bony-pike than did their sires of yore. 
And in their tails the Ganoids now display 35 
Likeness more close to fishes of to-day : 
But few there are, like those of days gone by 
With stiff-spined tails, of little symmetry : 
For now the bright and multifarious throng 
With tails, free and symmetric, swim along. 40 
Less gristly too are Ganoids : soon will bone 
Afford them frames more strong than now they own. 
In Trias days already in the tide 
Were some whose frames in part were ossified : 
But up till now, a little sprat alone 45 
Can boast a backbone, wholly made of bone. 
60 
